Winter Sesshin 2018 January 13-15

As most people are aware, the Chinese year is based on a Lunar Calendar.  Being slightly misaligned  with our Western Solar Calendar, the Chinese New Year usually begins sometime in and/or about February. This typically makes our January the 12 month of the Chinese year. This Lunar Calendar was the same calendar in use in China and Japan when, in the Zen Tradition, it is said that the Buddha became enlightened. The observance of the Buddha's awakening became known as Rohatsu which simply means 12th month - 8th day (of the Lunar Calendar) and is still observed by this accounting by many traditional Zen temples and monasteries in the Far East.

As a matter of long standing tradition, Winter Sesshin at Open Gate Zendo has been held in January to coincide with the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Not only to pay homage to both the traditional dates of Rohatsu and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, but to free up December for those of us who also observe the holiday traditions of the West.

Practice begins at 7:30 am Saturday January 13th and runs through Monday, January 15th.  The three day practice schedule will include the our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Silent Peace Walk (Olympia’s Capitol Lake, Marathon Park starting at noon Sunday). 

Anyone wanting to arrive early is welcome to come Friday evening and spend the night in the Zendo. Attendees arriving in the morning should try to arrive by 7:00.  There will be an informal breakfast with social time Saturday morning, but otherwise we will be following our traditional silent sesshin schedule and etiquette.

There is no fee for attending, but as usual, contributions for food and to help pay for supplies and heating costs would be greatly appreciated. Mattresses will be provided for those who wish to remain in residence for their duration at sesshin and showers will be made available.

    

Please e-mail; opengatezendo@msn.com with any questions and/or to confirm your plans to attend, we need an accurate head count for buying food stuffs.

2018 Winter Sesshin

Saturday Schedule (1/13)

First Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05-9:00 Informal Breakfast and kitchen cleanup (in Hojo)

9:00-9:15 Sesshin Introduction and Instructions

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.

10:45-12:30 Samu (work and/or exercise/rest period)

12:30- Call to Lunch (Han roll)

12:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

12:45-1:45 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

1:45-2:10 Break and kitchen cleanup

Afternoon Session

2:00- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

2:15-3:30 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

3:30-4:30 Angya practice. (monk procession walk)

4:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

4:45-5:15 One period Zazen

5:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for Dinner- bring out trays

5:30-6:15 Dinner ceremony (Oryoki)

6:15-6:30 Break and kitchen cleanup

Evening Session

6:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

6:45-8:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

8:00-8:10- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for tea, bring out trays

8:10 -8:50 Tea ceremony & Teisho (teaching) and/or Dharma Discussion.

8:55- Closing ceremony

9:00- Daily Closing- Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

9:00- Prepare for bed or non-residents leave for the night.

Sunday Schedule  (1/14)

First Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for breakfast - bring out trays

8:15-9:00 Breakfast ceremony (Oryoki)

9:00-9:25 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.

11:15-1:15 Angya practice. (MLK Silent procession walk Capitol Lake)

1:15-3:30  Hosted Sangha Lunch in Olympia.

Afternoon Session

3:30- Call to Zazen (time adjusted to return time)

3:45-5:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

5:00- 5:30 Work and/or exercise/rest period (may be adjusted for schedule)

5:15- Call to Zendo (Han roll)

5:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for Dinner- bring out trays

5:30-6:15 Dinner ceremony (Oryoki)

6:15-6:40 Break and kitchen cleanup

Evening Session

6:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

6:45-8:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

8:00-8:10- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for tea, bring out trays

8:10 -8:50 Tea ceremony & Teisho (teaching) and/or Dharma Discussion.

8:55- Closing ceremony

9:00- Daily Closing- Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

9:00- Prepare for bed or non-residents leave for the night.

Monday Schedule (1/15)

Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for breakfast - bring out trays

8:15-9:00 Breakfast ceremony (Oryoki)

9:00-9:15 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.

10:45-11:45 Samu (work and/or exercise/rest period)

Afternoon Session
11:45 Han Roll

12:00-12:30 One Period Zazen

12:30- 12:45 Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

12:45-1:30 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

1:30-2:00 Break and kitchen cleanup

1:45- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

2:00-2:30 One periods of Zazen 

2:30-2:45 Short Break

2:45-3:30 Tea ceremony, Teisho/Group Discussion
3:35-Closing - Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times